The Labyrinth Gardens had to be the best part of Sonora. The tall hedges made for a peaceful atmosphere, as one got lost in it. It allowed for the contemplation of one's thoughts and ideas or just to enjoy the calm and quiet of it all.
It made for a wonderful change from the always active student body. Inside the school, there was never really a chance for one to be on their own. Not that she minded company, but sometimes there was just too much company. She saw people every day in the dining hall, in classes, and even her room was shared.
Coming to a bench, she sat down, taking in a deep breath of nature. It all smelled so pleasant. The bench wasn't even that bad. Feeling the calming effect of it all, she stretched out on the bench, putting her hands behind her head to act as a pillow as she looked up at the blue sky. Letting her imagination run wild, she pictured various animals and objects in the clouds. She wondered if anyone else ever did this.
As though to answer her question, she heard the shuffling of feet and felt a pair of eyes on her. Shifting her head slightly, she met their gaze with a smile, "Hi. Am I in your spot?"
Irene wandered over to the Gardens, not opening the letter Renaye had sent her. She decided it was best to read when she could actually read it. From their past exchanges in letters, Raye had told her about her everyday training for Quidditch. Raye and her bludgers. Two peas in a pod right there.
Irene headed over to a bench she had sat in previously, her blue-green eyes wandering over the lush green of the gardens. She usually sat there to come and write to Uncle Mike, Josh, Raye, and sometimes Elaina, just to say hi. Whene Irene got there, however, a girl was already sitting there. Oh well, it didn't really matter. It was just a nice spot.
Irene was about to turn away when the girl spoke up.
"Hi. Am I in your spot?"
Irene smiled at her and shook her head. "No, I've just sat here before. But, do you mind sharing?"
0Irene LiddoweMind if I join you?106Irene Liddowe05
"No, come sit," Hannah replied, as she sat up. One leg was now tucked under her and the other was dangling from the bench.
The other girl seemed familiar. Had she seen her somewhere before? Then, it dawned on her. She had worked briefly with the girl in Care of Magical Creatures at the beginning of the term. What was her name again? She searched her mind. It started with an 'I,' didn't it? Isabella? No, that was her mom's name. Ilene? No, no, Irene. Yes, that was it, Irene.
She hadn't really seen the other girl since then. Perhaps, it was just that they were too busy. There was a lot to do when you were a first year. On top of it all, Hannah had made it onto the Quidditch team, albeit, a reserve, but still she was on it. And she had gotten to play in the most recent game, which had been awful since the other team had won. Hannah was sure if Kaylie played, they would have won, but she supposed she shouldn't feel too bad. She thought she did okay for her first game, especially against the other seeker, who was older and probably more experienced. Hopefully, she would get better as she got older.
She tucked on a piece of stray hair, trying to think of another topic, other than the one on her mind. Her pretty blonde hair was worn loose today, allowed to flow down her back. Normally, she wore it in pigtails or braids, but today had felt like a special day, which it might be, if Irene became a friend rather than mere acquaintance. Though, what to talk about?
"How have you been?" Completely lame, but she couldn't think of where else to begin.
"No, come sit," The girl said. Irene vaguely reccognized her from... somewhere around this school. She must have worked with her in a class somewhere. Charms, no... DADA? No... Care of Magical Creatures! That was it! She had worked with Hannah! Irene was slightly proud of herself for remembering the name and she took a seat on the bench.
"Thanks," Irene said with a smile.
"How have you been?" Hannah asked.
"Pretty good," Irene said with a grin. "Not too much going on lately..." That was true. Lately, there hadn't been too much happening, but before that there had been plenty going on. Irene didn't want to bother Hannah with all of the legal details and all that. Why would she want to hear about the "custody war"?
"I'm a reserve for the Quidditch team!" Irene said, remembering that detail. "You play?"
Hannah was torn between smiling and frowning when the subject of Quidditch was brought up. She loved playing, but she still felt awful about the game. So, the face she made was more of a wry grimace.
"I'm on the Teppenpaw team, as the reserve Seeker. I actually got to play in the Tepp versus Pecari game. We lost though," she told Irene, not remembering that Irene was Pecari. Otherwise, she would have congratulated her. They were going on to the Championship game. She would also not have said the next words that came out of her mouth, "So, are you going to the Championship game? I think I'm going to. Pecari's seeker was pretty good. I want to see if she can win this game."
"I'm on the Teppenpaw team, as the reserve Seeker. I actually got to play in the Tepp versus Pecari game. We lost though,"
"I'm glad I didn't have to play in that game. It was so crazy! I give a lot of props for playing! And from what I saw you were keeping up pretty well!"
It was true. This was one of the many reasons why that game was so exciting to watch. Hannah had done well and it seemed like she was being a little harsh on herself.
"Don't worry about it," Irene told her, "You did a fine job!"
"So, are you going to the Championship game? I think I'm going to.
Irene grinned. Yeah... The Championship! How cool was that? "Yeah," Irene said, "I'm on the team so I'll be on the bench cheering it up for Pecari. I'll wave if I see you!"
"Pecari's seeker was pretty good. I want to see if she can win this game."
"Yeah, me too!" Irene said with a laugh. "I would love to see her do well!"
Irene picked her legs up so she was sitting Indian-style on the bench. She remembered the letter from Renaye and opened it. Blah... blah... Quidditch... blah... blah... What?!
Irene let out a stifled squeal. "Sorry," she said to Hannah. "I just found out my cousin applied to Sonora for next year!"
All right! How fun would that be? Renaye was going to be here with her! It would be like summer, but not. Irene made a mental note to write back later and shoved the letter in her pocket.
0IreneO_o <-- I don't know. But he's cool!0Irene05
She was glad that someone hadn't thought of her playing as awful. She knew that she was being harsh on herself, but being a reserve seemed to carry immense weight with it. It's like being the last hope.
"That's really cool that you get to go to the Championship game," she said with a twinge of jealousy. She wished her team was going, but oh, well, c'est la vie.
They stayed a moment in silence while Irene read through what appeared to be a letter. Hannah's own thoughts drifted to home. This time, next year, Addie would be here. She wondered what house her sister would be in. She was hoping Teppenpaw, so they could hang out in the Common room together. Suddenly, Irene gave a squeal of joy. Her cousin had applied.
"That is so cool! And weird! I was just thinking of my sister, Addie. She applied for next year, too," Hannah explained. "What house do you think they'll be in? I'm hoping Addie makes it into Tepp."
"That is so cool! And weird! I was just thinking of my sister, Addie. She applied for next year, too," Hannah explained. "What house do you think they'll be in? I'm hoping Addie makes it into Tepp."
"I'm almost positive Renaye will be in Pecari," Irene said, thinking of her cousin's loud-ness and bold character. "She... well, she has a lot of character. Her twin brother, Josh, though, I'm not so sure of... I hope your sister makes it into Tepp! That would be fun for you guys!"
Irene didn't have a sister, or a brother. Raye, Josh, and Elaina were the closest thing she had to brothers and sisters. They were around plenty because of their parents constant traveling. Irene was sure it took a toll on Raye, but Uncle Mike was always great to them about it.
"So is Addie your only sister?" Irene asked Hannah.